Rhian Wilkinson accepted Wales must raise their standards after they scraped to a 1-0 victory in their Women’s World Cup play-off semi-final in Albania.

Wales have the upper hand going into Tuesday’s second leg in Llanelli after Ezmiralda Franja’s first-half own goal gave them victory in Shkoder.

But Wilkinson’s team were fortunate to triumph against a team who sit 37 places below them in the Fifa rankings after Albania created the game’s best chances.

“We stuck with it. [It was a] resilient performance. Not our best, but equally, we learned to win on hard days, and today it wasn’t our best,” the Wales head coach said.

“Coming home with [the win] is great. We’re halfway there.

“We need to make sure we take care of business at home but equally push our standards a bit.”

Bledisloe Cup – First Test

New Zealand (17) 50

Tries: Lakai, Vaai, Roigard, Taylor, Carter, Moorby, Jordan Cons: McKenzie (6) Pens: McKenzie

Australia (14) 19

Tries: Wright, Wilson, Nasser Cons: Lonergan (2)

New Zealand retained the Bledisloe Cup for a 23rd straight year as they powered past Australia to extend their remarkable unbeaten run at Eden Park.

The All Blacks have not lost at the venue since 1994, with a dominant second-half display increasing their unbeaten run in Auckland to 54 Tests.

Australia remained in touch at half-time at 17-14 down but New Zealand blew the visitors away after the break, scoring five tries.

Peter Lakai, Tupou Vaa’i, Cam Roigard, Codie Taylor, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby and Will Jordan all scored as fly-half Damian McKenzie kicked 15 points to help the All Blacks retain the trophy which is contested annually between the two nations.

Victory halted a three-match losing streak for the All Blacks after the 3-1 series defeat by world champions South Africa this summer.

Defeat for the Wallabies was their first since head coach Les Kiss succeeded Joe Schmidt in July, ending their six-game unbeaten run.

Australia were looking for their first win at Eden Park since 1986 and went ahead after controlling the early stages through full-back Tom Wright’s try.

New Zealand responded strongly, and inspired by scrum-half Roigard’s searching kicks, turned the match around with tries from Lakai and Vaa’i.

Wallabies captain Harry Wilson scored a try to keep New Zealand at arm’s length, but the All Blacks moved through the gears in the second half.

Roigard grabbed a try for himself shortly after the break, before Taylor, Carter, Moorby and Jordan went over as Australia struggled to hold back the hosts’ waves of attack.

Josh Nasser added a late try for the visitors, but the match was well beyond their reach by that point.

The second match of the two-Test series takes place in Sydney at the Accor Stadium on 17 October.

New Zealand: B Barrett; Jordan, Tupaea, J Barrett, Carter; McKenzie, Roigard; De Groot, Taylor (c), Newell, S Barrett, Lord, Vaa’i, Lakai, Sititi

Replacements: Aumua, Bower, Tosi, Frizell, Segner, Preston, Loane, Moorby

Australia: Wright; Jorgensen, Henry, Ikitau, Sua’ali’i; Donaldson, Lonergan; Bell, Paenga-Amosa, Alaalatoa, Williams, Salakaia-Loto, Valetini, McReight, Wilson (c)

Replacements: Nasser, Ross, De Lutiis, Shaw, De Crespigny, McDermott, Meredith, Potter

Referee: Andrew Brace (Ire)

Assistant referees: Luke Pearce (Eng) & Damian Schneider (Arg)

TMO: Mike Adamson (Sco)

Despite Elmore normally playing on either the wing or in midfield for Sparta Prague, she spent much of her time at Inver Park leading the NI line as a lone striker.

For a player who has already tested herself on some of European football’s biggest club stages, including the Champions League and Europa League this year, Elmore added this was another challenge she would embrace.

“That was the first time playing centre-forward for a very long time since university.

“I like any of the attacking positions and anywhere attacking, I’m happy to play. I mean, anywhere the team needs me, I’m happy to be there.”

Manager McArdle also believes the England youth international can add to the squad, who will now travel to Portimao on Tuesday (19:45 BST) but face a tough task.

“I think with Kess come on, obviously making her debut as well, I think that brings a nice energy,” McArdle said.

“I’m grateful that we’ve all seen Kess because you’ll see what I see now. There is someone here who can add to the group and give us something going forward and in the final third, so delighted that she’s gone on the pitch.”